Microsoft Buys Skype for $8.5 Billion

Microsoft plans to introduce the service to Xbox Live and Kinect.

Wow, that’s a lot of cheddar. Microsoft has announced that they have scooped up the internet communication giant Skype for $8.5 billion in cash, giving new meaning to the phrase "makin' it rain." One of the purposes of the purchase is to incorporate Skype into Microsoft’s Xbox and Kinect infrastructure.

“Skype is a phenomenal service that is loved by millions of people around the world,” said Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. “Together we will create the future of real-time communications so people can easily stay connected to family, friends, clients and colleagues anywhere in the world.”

“Then we take it over.”

OK, that last bit wasn’t part of the official quotable, if you couldn’t already tell. But that seems to be the underlining subtext of Ballmer’s statement. We see right through your deception, Mr. Ballmer!

Microsoft’s plan is to “invest in and support” Skype by opening up a new division within the company called “Microsoft Skype Division.” It took them hours to come up with that name, by the way. Now we just have to wait and see how Microsoft takes advantage of this exorbitant purchase.